Prompt
In this observation, pay attention to how your teacher manages his or her classroom. What types of disruptions, if any, occur while you're visiting? How do they set the class in motion? How do they deal with interruptions (from the outside) and disruptions (from their students)? Determine whether there are students in the classes that you will teach that are especially troublesome. Ask your CT how he or she addresses these students' needs. Reflect on your "vision" of an ideal science classroom. What classroom policies will you try to implement in YOUR classroom? How does your vision align with your teaching philosophy?
Observation
When visiting my classroom, I rarely notice any major disruptions. Many of the disruptions that occur are from the students with documented ADHD. They act out or shout out when they are supposed to raise their hand. The teacher usually addresses these types of disruptions when they occur. My CT usually redirects the student or if the disruption keeps happening she has them take a movement break. During a movement break, the student is allowed to take one lap around the pod hallway. The shouting out disruptions or interruptions mainly occur when the teacher is trying to have a class discussion. These students want to participate, but have a hard time doing so in an appropriate manner. One day, the power went out in the entire building. The students had a very hard time staying on task. The teacher recognized this and eased up on the lesson. She talked to the kids about what was happening and told them not to worry. Then she tried to get them back on task as best she could and continued with the lesson.
Reflection
It is hard to maintain control during a disruptive event. I was impressed by the way my CT handled the power outage. She calmly addressed the issue, but did not make a big production out of it. I think it was important to talk to the students about what was going on because if she had just tried to ignore it that would not have worked. I think it is important as a teacher to project calmness and be rational even when you are not sure what is going on. As for the disruptions due to students acting out, I think my CT does an excellent job in handling the students. Usually, a redirection is all the student needs. I have also seen my CT pull a student out into the hallway for a conference. Although, she only does this if the students are busy working in groups. She would not stop a class or lecture for a hallway conference. I agree with this mode of discipline. My CT has also done an excellent job of pointing out who may be the problem students when it comes to student teaching. She advises to tell the student to "stop" or “ now is not the time” as a response for misbehaving students. Also, if students shout out answers or are disruptive during a lecture she told me to tell them, “if you have response please raise your hand.” If the disruption keeps occurring, my CT advises having the student take a walk around the pod for a movement break. This is a last resort option. I like and respect my CT’s management style. I will continue to use it when I have a classroom of my own.
In this observation, pay attention to how your teacher manages his or her classroom. What types of disruptions, if any, occur while you're visiting? How do they set the class in motion? How do they deal with interruptions (from the outside) and disruptions (from their students)? Determine whether there are students in the classes that you will teach that are especially troublesome. Ask your CT how he or she addresses these students' needs. Reflect on your "vision" of an ideal science classroom. What classroom policies will you try to implement in YOUR classroom? How does your vision align with your teaching philosophy?
Observation
When visiting my classroom, I rarely notice any major disruptions. Many of the disruptions that occur are from the students with documented ADHD. They act out or shout out when they are supposed to raise their hand. The teacher usually addresses these types of disruptions when they occur. My CT usually redirects the student or if the disruption keeps happening she has them take a movement break. During a movement break, the student is allowed to take one lap around the pod hallway. The shouting out disruptions or interruptions mainly occur when the teacher is trying to have a class discussion. These students want to participate, but have a hard time doing so in an appropriate manner. One day, the power went out in the entire building. The students had a very hard time staying on task. The teacher recognized this and eased up on the lesson. She talked to the kids about what was happening and told them not to worry. Then she tried to get them back on task as best she could and continued with the lesson.
Reflection
It is hard to maintain control during a disruptive event. I was impressed by the way my CT handled the power outage. She calmly addressed the issue, but did not make a big production out of it. I think it was important to talk to the students about what was going on because if she had just tried to ignore it that would not have worked. I think it is important as a teacher to project calmness and be rational even when you are not sure what is going on. As for the disruptions due to students acting out, I think my CT does an excellent job in handling the students. Usually, a redirection is all the student needs. I have also seen my CT pull a student out into the hallway for a conference. Although, she only does this if the students are busy working in groups. She would not stop a class or lecture for a hallway conference. I agree with this mode of discipline. My CT has also done an excellent job of pointing out who may be the problem students when it comes to student teaching. She advises to tell the student to "stop" or “ now is not the time” as a response for misbehaving students. Also, if students shout out answers or are disruptive during a lecture she told me to tell them, “if you have response please raise your hand.” If the disruption keeps occurring, my CT advises having the student take a walk around the pod for a movement break. This is a last resort option. I like and respect my CT’s management style. I will continue to use it when I have a classroom of my own.